Why Some Airlines Are Refusing Cash Onboard and What That Means if Your Card Fails

Airline passengers are increasingly surprised to find that they can’t use cash to buy a drink or snack during their flight. Without much fanfare, many carriers have quietly stopped accepting physical currency for onboard purchases. From budget airlines to major flag carriers, the shift toward cashless cabins is spreading across routes worldwide. Travelers who aren’t prepared with a credit card or digital payment may find themselves unable to buy food, drinks or duty-free items once the plane is in the air.

Many airlines have quietly moved to cashless cabins, meaning only cards or digital payments are accepted onboard. This change has been rolling out for over a decade – for example, American Airlines made all its flights cashless back in early 2010. Today, it’s become common on major U.S. and European carriers and is catching on globally. While it can catch some travelers off guard, airlines insist that going cash-free in the cabin makes transactions faster, safer and more efficient.

Why airlines are moving away from cash

Airlines cite several practical reasons for moving to card-only payments in the sky. One major factor is speed and efficiency. Handling paper money and making change in a tight aisle slows down service, whereas swiping a card or tapping a phone is much quicker. Flight attendants can serve more passengers when they don’t have to count bills or carry coin change. As American Airlines explained when introducing cashless cabins, eliminating cash “simplif[ies] the in-flight sales process and speed[s] up the service” for everyone.

Security and loss prevention are another driving force. Cash on board was prone to disappearing or causing accounting headaches. Former crew members admit that not all cash made it back to the airline – there were cases of theft or misplacement of onboard cash envelopes. By using electronic payments that generate a digital record, airlines reduce the risk of money being skimmed or lost in transit. It also cuts down on disputes: in the past, there were occasional confrontations over a flight attendant giving incorrect change or passengers trying to use counterfeit bills. Cashless systems remove those problems entirely.

Airlines also point to safety and hygiene benefits, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic. Handling less cash means less physical contact with germ-laden notes and coins. The move to contactless payments was even framed as a health measure – for instance, Wizz Air highlighted that not handling cash contributes to a cleaner onboard environment.

Additionally, not carrying stacks of currency from different countries simplifies logistics. Crew no longer need to manage multiple currencies on international flights or worry about counterfeit foreign notes. The airline can settle all sales in one currency electronically, avoiding the need to reconcile cash in various denominations after each trip.

There’s also a financial incentive. Card payments can be more seamless for upselling and often encourage higher spending (people tend to buy more when paying by card). Some airlines have partnered with credit card companies to offer bonuses or waive fees for inflight purchases, further promoting a cashless culture. At the same time, not dealing in cash saves airlines the cost of securely transporting and auditing cash from each flight. All these reasons – faster service, fewer losses, cleaner interactions and easier accounting – have led airlines to conclude that a cash-free cabin is simply more efficient.

How onboard card payments actually work

When you hand over your credit or debit card mid-flight, the payment process isn’t quite the same as in a shop on the ground. In most cases, in-flight card readers operate offline. At 35,000 feet, there’s usually no real-time connection to the banking networks. Instead, the device encrypts and stores your card details (or chip data) to be processed later, once the plane lands or establishes a link.

This is a modern version of the old-school method: airlines used to take card imprints on paper slips and have the bank honor the charge afterward. Today’s electronic systems essentially do the digital equivalent – they accept the card on trust and the charge is finalized once the flight’s data uploads.

Because of this offline approach, the card reader doesn’t always know on the spot whether a charge will ultimately go through. There’s no instantaneous approval or decline from your bank in many cases. Instead, the airline takes on a bit of risk. The assumption is that if the card is valid and the receipt is signed or chip-verified, the issuer will honor the payment later (and then pursue the passenger for any issues, if necessary).

Some airlines mitigate the risk by imposing onboard spending limits or verification steps. For example, Wizz Air has set a €150 per person cap on inflight purchases, and any single transaction of €50 or more might require showing your boarding pass as ID. These measures prevent someone from running up a huge bill that might bounce later.

Interestingly, newer technology is gradually bringing inflight payments closer to real-time. On certain flights equipped with Wi-Fi or on newer systems like United’s, flight attendants can process a contactless payment that pings the network immediately if connectivity allows.

In 2024, United Airlines rolled out Tap-to-Pay via iPhone for its crew, meaning a passenger can tap their contactless card or phone, and if the plane has a connection, the payment can be authorized on the spot. However, if the connection is unavailable, these systems just store the payment for later. The bottom line is that whether you insert your chip card, swipe, or tap your phone, you likely won’t see the charge post to your account until after the flight when the airline’s system goes online and formally charges it.

When and why cards fail onboard

Most of the time, if you offer a standard Visa or MasterCard on a flight, it will be accepted without issue. But there are several scenarios where a card can fail in the air even though it works fine on the ground. One common reason is the type of card. Airlines typically accept major credit and debit cards that can be processed offline on global networks. Cards on local or regional networks often won’t work.

For instance, Europe’s Maestro debit cards or certain Asian bank cards might be declined by the inflight machine if they don’t have a Visa/MasterCard logo. Ryanair explicitly warns that it only accepts Visa, Mastercard or American Express cards; a Maestro or Bancontact debit card will be rejected by their reader unless it’s loaded into a mobile wallet that uses a compatible network. In other words, your bank card must function like a credit card for the airline to take it.

Another reason is the verification method. In some regions, the inflight card terminals require a PIN code to complete the transaction, in line with local banking norms. This has tripped up travelers who come from a swipe-and-sign culture. In Europe, many airlines use chip-and-PIN card machines. If a passenger’s card doesn’t have a PIN (common with some U.S. credit cards) or if they don’t know it, the device may simply decline the sale.

Back in 2019, for example, American travelers on Ryanair found their cards declined because the system wouldn’t accept a signature – it wanted a PIN for verification. Similarly, contactless tap payments above a certain amount might require a PIN, and if the passenger can’t provide one, the purchase won’t go through.

Then there are security blocks and quirks of certain cards. Some prepaid travel cards or fintech debit cards (like early versions of Monzo or Revolut) had strict offline spending limits – if the airline’s charge exceeds that or if offline transactions are disabled, the card will fail mid-flight. Even a normal credit card can run into trouble if, say, the bank flags the offline charge attempt as unusual. Occasionally, glitches happen with the card readers too.

Crew anecdotes and passenger forums have noted instances where the wireless terminal was malfunctioning on a given flight, causing multiple cards to be declined until the machine was reset. Unfortunately, when you’re in the air, there’s no alternative like an ATM – if the electronic payment can’t be completed, the sale just doesn’t happen.

It’s important to note that a card “failing” onboard can refer to two stages: immediate and after the fact. Immediate declines are when the machine refuses the card on the spot – as described, usually a card-type issue or missing PIN is to blame. But there’s also the scenario where the charge seems to go through during the flight (so you get your item), but later the transaction is rejected by the bank. In those cases, the airline may have no way to collect after you’ve left. Some airlines have been burned by this – for example, carriers have noted that purely offline PIN-only transactions led to losses when passengers later blocked or disputed the charges.

That’s one reason many have tightened accepted card types and require chip or verified methods. If a passenger deliberately hands over a maxed-out or frozen card just to get free goods, the airline could end up with no payment. Generally, they track such instances and may bar that passenger from future card use or even from flying if it’s deemed intentional fraud.

How cashless rules affect food, drinks and duty free

If an airline doesn’t take cash, it means anything you want to buy during the flight must be paid electronically. For short-haul economy passengers, that primarily affects snacks and drinks. Many airlines now run a buy-on-board service for meals or refreshments – and on cashless flights, you can only pay by card or digital wallet. If you don’t have a working payment method, you won’t be able to purchase that sandwich or beer.

Some passengers have been caught by surprise on a 2-hour flight when they tried to hand the flight attendant a €10 note for a coffee, only to be politely told cards only. In such cases, unless a kind seatmate steps in to cover them (which does happen informally ), the passenger has to go without the purchase. Airlines do sometimes carry a small stock of complimentary water or basics for situations like medical needs, but generally optional food and beverage sales won’t be given away for free just because you have no card.

On longer international flights, many carriers traditionally offered duty-free shopping or sold upgrades and amenities onboard. The move to cashless affects these as well, but with some regional differences. In Europe and North America, it’s become standard that duty-free trolleys and in-flight boutiques also prefer card payments. However, a few international airlines still accept cash for duty-free items, often in major currencies. For example, Emirates – which caters to a global mix of passengers – explicitly allows cash payments in a variety of currencies (from US dollars to Euros, pounds, and more) for onboard duty-free purchases.

You can still hand over paper money on an Emirates flight to buy that perfume or model plane if it’s one of 17 supported currencies, though they happily take “tap your card” as the alternative. This shows that policies can vary: some full-service airlines keep a hybrid approach especially on long-haul flights, recognizing that a portion of travelers (perhaps older, or from countries where card use is less common) may only have cash on them during travel.

For inflight food and drinks on those same long-haul carriers, the impact of cashless rules might be less noticeable to some passengers because many full-service airlines include basic meals and soft drinks in the ticket. It’s often the extra purchases – say an alcoholic beverage in economy or an upgraded snack – that require payment. Again, you’d need a card for those. Meanwhile, low-cost carriers that charge for everything, from water to potato chips, strictly enforce the no-cash rule: if you don’t have an acceptable form of payment, you simply cannot buy onboard refreshments.

This has even raised concerns about access to water on some budget airlines, since a passenger without a card might feel they can’t get a drink. (In practice, cabin crew will usually provide tap water or make some accommodation if someone is ill or in genuine need – they just won’t sell a branded bottle of water without payment.)

One other area is paid extras like seat upgrades, Wi-Fi access, or duty-free preorders delivered in flight. These are almost always handled via electronic payment. It’s been years since airlines took cash for last-minute seat upgrades on board; now, if upgrades are sold on the plane, a credit card is the only way to pay, or miles/points on some airlines.

Inflight Wi-Fi portals only accept card details or digital payments. In fact, some carriers like United have you store a payment method in your account before the flight to speed up buying Wi-Fi or snacks during the flight. The cashless trend essentially means any monetary transaction in the air – whether $3 for headphones or $300 for an upgrade – is channeled through cards and digital systems.

Differences between airlines and regions

While the cashless cabin concept is spreading, it’s not uniform everywhere. Generally, North American and European airlines have led the cash-free charge. All major U.S. airlines stopped accepting cash on board for purchases years ago. For example, Delta, United, American, Southwest, JetBlue – all are fully cashless in the cabin for anything you buy.

Many European carriers are the same: British Airways hasn’t accepted cash for onboard buys since it introduced buy-on-board catering in 2017, and Ryanair and easyJet flights are entirely cashless now as well. A lot of the European budget airlines moved to card-only to streamline their quick flights. In these regions, if you board a flight, you can assume you’ll need a card if you want to purchase something during the trip.

In other regions, the transition is happening more gradually. Asia and the Middle East present a mixed picture. As noted, some Gulf and Asian long-haul carriers still accommodate cash, especially for duty-free. Airlines based in countries where cash is still prevalent in daily life have been slower to eliminate it. For instance, many Indian carriers (like IndiGo) and some Southeast Asian airlines continued to accept cash for onboard sales as of the mid-2020s. On an IndiGo flight, you could pay for your cup noodles with Indian rupees or swipe your Visa – both were allowed.

But even these airlines may eventually follow the global trend as more of their customer base carries digital wallets. It’s wise for travelers outside North America/Europe to check the specific airline’s policy. Don’t assume that because your flight out of London was cards-only that your flight in another region will be – or vice versa. A traveler flying, say, a domestic route in Africa or South Asia might still find that cash is accepted (or even preferred) if the airline hasn’t invested in card readers yet.

Another difference can be aircraft type and flight sector. Historically, the smaller regional planes and partner carriers lagged in the cashless rollout. When American Airlines first went cashless on mainline flights, its affiliate American Eagle planes still only accepted cash for a while. The same was true for some Delta Connection and other regional operators in the early 2010s – they didn’t have the e-reader devices, so they kept taking cash on short hops.

However, that has largely changed now as even tiny commuter jets can be equipped with a smartphone or tablet to swipe cards. By 2025 most large airlines had extended cashless policies to their smaller feeder flights too, but a few quirks remain. If you’re on an obscure charter flight or very small airline, it’s worth noting that not every carrier is up to speed on cashless tech. Also, certain routes like remote island hops or humanitarian flights might be exceptions where cash is still accepted due to lack of infrastructure or as a courtesy.

One more regional nuance is the payment methods accepted. Airlines in China, for example, might accept mobile payments like WeChat Pay or Alipay for on-board purchases (especially if the flight has Wi-Fi to process them). Some carriers in Africa or the Middle East may accept mobile money or local payment apps if those are widely used by their customers.

This is all part of moving away from paper cash, but it means “cashless” can include a variety of digital options beyond just credit cards. In essence, travelers should be aware that policies vary: you can’t assume every airline handles payments the same way.

It’s best to check ahead – most airlines list in their inflight magazine or website which payment forms are taken onboard. Being caught with only cash on a cashless airline, or conversely with only a card on an airline that might not take your type of card, can put you in an uncomfortable spot. The trend is toward consistency (cards and digital accepted everywhere), but during this transition era, differences still exist across regions and carriers.

How travelers can avoid onboard payment problems

For travelers, the shift to cashless cabins doesn’t have to be a negative – it just means adjusting a bit before you fly. The simplest way to avoid any issues is to carry at least two different payment methods when you travel. Ideally, have a major credit or debit card that you know is widely accepted (Visa and Mastercard are safest bets globally). If you have more than one card, bring a backup in case one doesn’t work.

Sometimes a card might get declined due to an unforeseen block, so having an alternate card or a digital wallet set up on your phone can save the day. It’s also wise to inform your bank or card issuer if you’re traveling internationally, so they don’t suspect the inflight charge is fraud. While offline charges usually slip through without need for approval, some banks might flag unusual foreign transactions that appear later – a quick travel notice can prevent that.

Another tip is to prepare your cards for offline and PIN use. Well before your trip, make sure you know the PIN for your credit card if it has one. If you only use it for tapping or signature normally, have a PIN ready since you might need it in-flight or at kiosks. For those with exclusively app-based or prepaid cards, check the card’s settings – ensure it allows offline transactions (some prepaid cards let you enable or adjust an offline limit). If your primary debit card is on a network like Maestro that isn’t accepted on planes, consider getting a travel card or a credit card that is. You don’t want to discover at 30,000 feet that your card isn’t on the “approved” list.

It can also help to save a payment method with the airline in advance if that option exists. Many airline apps allow you to store a credit card in your profile. United Airlines even made it a policy at one point that economy passengers should have a card saved on file or use contactless, as flight attendants would not swipe physical cards.

While not all airlines require this, using the app to preload your payment details (or to preorder food) can streamline things. Some airlines let you preorder meals or snacks up to a day before; doing so ensures you’ve paid and you just get your item on board without any transaction needed during the flight. That’s a good strategy if you’re worried about a card failing at point of sale.

For those who don’t have a credit card, plan ahead a bit more. If you typically use cash in daily life, recognize that on a plane that cash will be useless for buys. You might obtain a prepaid travel debit card (with a Visa/MasterCard logo) before your trip and load it with some funds – just test it to be sure it works. Some airlines have even installed kiosks in airports where you can convert cash to a temporary debit card for a fee.

For example, JetBlue has offered machines called ReadyStation that issue a prepaid card you can use onboard, though they charge around $5 for the service. While fees aren’t ideal, it’s better than having no way to pay at all if you really need to buy something in the air.

Lastly, a non-technical but effective piece of advice: bring some snacks or essentials with you, especially on a long flight, if you’re not entirely sure about buying onboard. Having a bottle of water and a granola bar in your carry-on can cover you in case your payment doesn’t work and you can’t purchase anything.

This isn’t to say you should fear being stranded hungry – airlines will usually provide basic beverages, and neighbors often help each other out in a pinch. But personal preparation gives peace of mind. The goal is not to sow fear; it’s just about awareness. Cashless cabins are now the norm in many places, so savvy travelers treat a usable card as part of their travel must-haves, just like an ID or boarding pass.

The Takeaway

The era of rifling through your wallet for exact change on a flight is coming to an end. Cashless cabins are becoming the norm across airlines due to clear benefits in speed, security and simplicity. For travelers, this shift doesn’t mean air travel is any less enjoyable – it just means you’ll want to bring a working card or digital payment option along, much as you’d bring your ID or phone.

The key is awareness: know before you go that your airline might be card-only for onboard purchases. With a little preparation, you won’t even notice the difference. You’ll swipe or tap to pay for that coffee or cocktail, and get on with your flight. If by chance your card doesn’t work the first time, crew will do their best to help troubleshoot, but having a backup plan (like another card or a prepaid option) will ensure you’re not left high and dry.

In the big picture, the move away from cash is meant to make the travel experience smoother. Flight attendants can serve you faster and focus more on hospitality than on counting coins. Airlines can keep prices a bit more stable when they lose less revenue to fraud or error.

And passengers can benefit from loyalty card rewards or not having to carry so many coins from different countries. While it might feel a little inconvenient if you’re used to cash, most travelers adjust quickly – especially as virtually every other part of travel, from booking tickets to hailing a ride share, has also gone digital.

So next time you fly, tuck a credit or debit card into your carry-on (and maybe double-check that it’s active and has no restrictions). That way, you’ll be ready to enjoy any onboard treats stress-free, even in a completely cashless sky. Safe travels, and happy (cash-free) flying!